Bomb threat at West Holmes Middle School investigated

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office is investigating a bomb threat that was made at West Holmes Middle School, 10901 state Route 39, Monroe Township, around 11:22 a.m. Friday.

By Times-Reporter staff report

Times Reporter

By Times-Reporter staff report

Posted Nov. 1, 2013 at 11:56 PM

By Times-Reporter staff report
Posted Nov. 1, 2013 at 11:56 PM

HOLMESVILLE

The Holmes County Sheriff's Office is investigating a bomb threat that was made at West Holmes Middle School, 10901 state Route 39, Monroe Township, around 11:22 a.m. Friday.

Deputies have a 13-year-old seventh-grade boy as a suspect. The boy's name is being withheld pending charges from the Holmes County Prosecutor's Office.

According to a report submitted by Sheriff Tim Zimmerly, the threat was written in pencil and found in the boys' restroom. Using the school's surveillance cameras, deputies and school officials were able to identify all of the individuals who entered the restroom prior to the threat being discovered.

School officials already had evacuated all students and staff to the school gymnasium prior to deputies' arrival, Zimmerly said. They remained there for the rest of the day. Deputies noted that the threat didn't offer a specific date or time. The deputies searched the entire school with the assistance of two bomb-trained dogs from the Summit County Sheriff's Office. The school was deemed clear.

While the sheriff's office has a suspect, Zimmerly said deputies still will be on hand at the school Monday to ensure a safe arrival and start of the day for all students and staff. The case is under investigation.